Dedications

Over the years many bands have dedicated their records to members of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band who so tragically lost their lives. This page will attempt to let you know which records were so dedicated. The work behind this page was done by our good friend Bruce Henningsgaard . A lot of time and effort went into this research. If you know of any other dedications, please let us know about them.



Atlanta Rhythm Section - Champagne Jam 1978 - This album contains the song 

Large Time, which includes a reference to playing with Skynyrd.

The dedications on the back of the album are as follows:

     "To the survivors: Allen, Gary, Leon, Billy, Artimus..."

     "In loving memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines

          & Dean Kilpatrick"




Van Zant (Donnie and Johnny) - Brother To Brother - 1998
The cd includes the following dedication: "Ronnie, your star still shines on everynight we take the stage. You're still the man. Brother, we hope we've made you proud. Love, Donnie and Johnny." The cd also contains the song Right Side Up, which includes the line "It took me back to that October" and the title song, which, after reading the words makes you think not just about Donnie and Johnny, but of Ronnie also.
Charlie Daniels Band - Million Mile Reflections 1978 - This album contains the song Reflections, which is about Charlies friendship with Ronnie (in addition to references to Elvis and Janis Joplin). Reflections It was October in St. Louis town, When we heard that the "Free Bird" had fell to the ground; And we all said a prayer before we went down To play. And Ronnie, my buddy, above all the rest, I miss you the most and I loved you the best, And now that you're gone I thank God I was blessed Just to know you. 1978 Hat Band Music (BMI) words and music by Charlie Daniels, "Taz" DiGregorio, Tom Crain, Fred Edwards, Charlie Hayward and James W. Marshall On side 1 of the album, scratched into the trailer area is the following: "Dedicated To Ronnie My Buddy". On side 2 of the album, scratched into the trailer area is the following: "Fly On Proud Bird, Free At Last - 10-22-78. C.D." In addition to this is the poem on the back of the album: Dedicated to our friend Ronnie Van Zant A brief candle both ends burning An endless mile a bus wheel turning A friend to share the lonesome times A handshake and a sip of wine So say it loud and let it ring That we're all part of everything The Present, Future and the Past Fly on proud bird, you're free at last
Journey - Infinity 1978 - The sleeve contains this dedication: The members of Journey would like to express their deep sorrow for the loss suffered by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their music will live on forever, and words cannot express our sadness for the loss of Cassie Gaines, Steve Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick and Ronnie Van Zant. Fly on Free Bird.
Molly Hatchet - Molly Hatchet 1978 - The back of this album contains the following dedication: Dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant.
Molly Hatchet - Double Trouble Live 1985 - The liner notes on the insert that are discussing the songs on the album contain the following dedication: And, as a tribute to their friend, Ronnie Van Zandt, includes a stirring version of the classic "Freebird". (That is how they spelled Van Zant on the insert). The album contains a live version of Free Bird, which begins with the following comment by Danny Joe Brown: Here's to you Ronnie, you're gone, but your song remains.
The Outlaws - Bring It Back Alive 1978 - On the inside of the album is the following dedication: This album is for those people who helped us, loved us, and with whom we shared many great times together: THE LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND AND CREW You're with us everynight and we love you forever. The album contains a side long version of Green Grass And High Tides. The following dedication is spoken on the album: "We'd like to take just a minute here, we're gonna dedicate a song, and we've dedicated it every night since we've been on this tour to some real good friends of ours and I'm sure they're friends of yours, the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band".
Henry Paul Band - Grey Ghost 1979 - Although there is nothing specifically mentioned on the album, the title song contains references. Plus, the following quote from the title song is on the back of album: "Grey Ghost" "As the autumn wind whispers through the tall and lonely pines, And the hour of fate is drawing close at hand, A free bird falling from the sky Brings a bitter end to another Southern man... Grey Ghost"
The Rockets - Turn Up The Radio 1979 - This is the band that redid the Fleetwood Mac song Oh Well. The back of the album contains the following dedication: This album is dedicated with love and respect to our good friends and brothers J.B. Fields, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines.
.38 Special - Special Delivery 1978 "For the persona and spirit of Ronnie, Steve,Dean and Cassie".
.38 Special - Rockin' Into The Night 1979 - The following dedication is on the back of the album: This one's for you Ronnie.
The Johnny Van Zant Band - No More Dirty Deals 1980 - On the back of the album, the last song, Standing In The Darkness, includes the following dedication listed after the title: (This one's for you, Ronnie!!). In addition, the sleeve contains the following dedication: This album is dedicated to Lacy and Marion Van Zant and to the Street Survivors you know who you are.
Johnny Van Zant - Brickyard Road - 1990 - The inner liner notes include the following dedications: "Brickyard Road" is dedicated to Lynyrd Skynyrd and their fans. In memory of J. C. Lundgren, Allen Collins and Carl Wilson.
This was sent in by Ari PK Korhonen Doc Holliday from Macon, GA published their live album called Song For The Outlaw in 1989 and the title song is dedicated to Ronnie. Inside are printed the lyrics and part of the "Song For The Outlaw". "He held the crowd in the palm of his hands with a rebel flag and a guitar band. He lived the life, the whiskey and the fights, but he died too young when the big time had just begun. Sing a song for the Outlaw. Sing a song for the way he makes you feel. Young and proud and strong, and Southern to the core. There is no score to settle now, since The Good Lord called him home." For Ronnie Van Zant
Charlie Daniels Band - Interchords - 1979 - This album includes conversations with Charlie Daniels about the Million Mile Reflections album, the song Reflections and Charlie's friendship with Ronnie.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Japanese import of greatest hits - 1981 - This album contains the following dedication: To Ronnie, Steve & Kathy.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Legend - 1987 - The album includes the dedication: This album is a tribute to friends no longer with us but whose memory remains alive with the music.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Southern By The Grace Of God, Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour 1987 - This album contains the following dedication: This album is dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, Kathy Collins and Chuck Flowers.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1991 - This album contains the following dedication: This album is for the love of music...and for the love of those who are in Rock n' Roll Heaven...and to carry on. Under Special Thanks: In memory of Allen Collins & Maxine Hall.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd Collection - 1991 - This box set contains the following dedication: This anthology is dedicated to the memory of Allen Collins, Kathy Collins, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, and Ronnie Van Zant.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Last Rebel - 1993 - This album includes the following dedication: Our music is always dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van-Zant, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, Cassie Gaines and Chuck Flowers.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Endangered Species - 1994 - This album includes the following dedication: Our music is always dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, Cassie Gaines and Chuck Flowers.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird The Movie, Selections From The Original Soundtrack - 1996 - This album contains the following dedication: The soundtrack is dedicated to our beloved friends who are no longer with us. We love you and we miss you.
The Outlaws - The Best Of The Outlaws Green Grass And High Tides - 1996 - The liner notes written by Henry Paul include the following dedication: Surviving the whirlwind lifestyle was another challenge, which at times was unforgiving. In the spirit of honoring those who gave their lives to the music, we dedicate this album to Billy Jones, Frank O'Keefe, James Peter Britton, Tommy Caldwell, Toy Caldwell, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Allen Collins, Cassie Gaines, Duane Allman and Berry Oakley.
Rossington Collins Band - This Is The Way - 1981 - This album contains the song Tashauna, which has the opening line: He called himself a freebird, they pulled him from the sky.
The Jimmie Van Zant Band - The Jimmie Van Zant Band 1996 - This album contains the song titled Ronnie's Song and a special thanks to Lynyrd Skynyrd for the use of Simple Man.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Twenty - 1997 - This album contains the following thank you: Johnny would like to thank... I know God's watching over you Ed. The album also contains the following: This cd is called Twenty because it's been 20 years since we lost our brothers and sister. Ronnie, Steve, Allen, Cassie, Dean and Chuck. The album cover has the current band members faces carved into a mountain while there are 5 STARS up in the sky representing the Lost members.
.38 Special - Bone Against Steel - 1991 - This album contains the song Rebel To Rebel, which is an obvious tribute from Donnie Van Zant (and co-songwriters Jeff Carlisi and Jim Peterik) to his late brother Ronnie. In addition, this album includes the song Jimmy Gillum, which includes the line "Yea the One Percent were burnin' up the stage".
The Allman Brothers Band - Brothers of the Road - 1981 - The back of this album includes the following dedication: "This album is titled in honor of all the musicians who have make southern rock a traditional art form in American music". The title song is a tribute to those musicians who have made southern rock music what it is today, and is a tribute to those who "... fell along the way". I like to think that songwriters Dickey Betts and Jim Goff were referring to more than just Duane Allman and Berry Oakley, but to all southern rock musicians that have been lost.

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